Temple Gives Hope For The Run

UM NOTEBOOK

'canes Struggling, But So Are The Owls

CORAL GABLES - — Temple should be good for what ails the University of Miami's running game.

The 'Canes are averaging 116.3 yards per game, their lowest average in 16 seasons.

They are sixth in the Big East in rushing, but the Owls offer some hope in Saturday's 4 p.m. kickoff at the Orange Bowl. Temple is allowing 215.1 yards per game, last in the Big East.

"We were disappointed in our inability to muster more of a running game," coach Butch Davis said of Saturday's 17-16 victory against Pitt. "We were fortunate enough to come up with big plays in the passing game."

The 'Canes rank No. 1 in the league in passing offense with an average of 241.8 yards per game.

Injury update

Center K.C. Jones will be re-evaluated today to determine if his injured left knee is strong enough for a return to action this week. He did not practice last week and missed Saturday's game at Pitt. He's UM's best offensive lineman.

Safety Eugene Ridgley (pinched shoulder nerve) will be held out of contact again today and is questionable for Saturday. Safety Dennis Scott (shoulder nerve damage) remains out indefinitely. Defensive tackle Chad Pegues (knee sprain) may return today and is probable for Saturday. Running back Trent Jones (ankle sprain) will try to practice today.

Bigger crowd expected

Saturday is Homecoming, which should help attendance. The 'Canes, playing in rain against Rutgers two Saturdays ago, attracted 19,747, the smallest crowd in 13 years. The last time Temple came to Miami, 33,927 turned out. That was 1993.

The 'Canes have sold almost 45,000 season tickets, school officials have said. That meant there were about 25,000 no-shows.

Around the state

-- FLORIDA: Two days after his release from Shands Hospital, DT Mike Jackson continued to recover from his collapse while running at Florida Field last week. Jackson, a redshirt freshman, likely will not practice this week while UF's medical staff awaits results of cardiology tests. ... TB Terry Jackson (separated shoulder) said he should be "ready to go" by Saturday.

-- FSU: QB Danny Kanell, who led the top-ranked Seminoles to their 29th straight ACC victory Saturday, is the league's Offensive Player of the Week.

-- CARQUEST BOWL: Tickets to the Dec. 30 game will be available at Ticketmaster locations beginning Thursday. The game, which will be played at Joe Robbie Stadium, will match the Big East No. 3 team against the ACC No. 4 or SEC No. 5 team.